Do V4 Engines Actually Belong in Cruiser Motorcycles?

• Ducati continues to make V4 engine design a major part of its lineup, following the announcement of the new 2023 Diavel V4.

• For the price of $26,695, the Diavel V4 is as modern and sporting as a cruiser bike can be, but V4 cruisers aren't a new concept.

• Yamaha and Honda have previously made waves in the motorcycle industry with rocket-like V4 models, and Ducati now carries on the lineage.

The V4 engine is the stuff of dreams for motoring enthusiasts. Small and lightweight with a hefty punch and a heavenly sound is a hard formula to argue with, and motorcycles have been lucky to be recipients of the popular V4 variants of modern times. From the Ducati Panigale V4 to Aprilia's RSV4 and Tuono V4, the performance benchmark for today's V4 models is akin to superbike status. In fact, Ducati has been steadily integrating its new V4 technology into its lineup, from the Streetfighter V4 to the Multistrada V4 Rally. But the V4 design is suited for much more than lap times and high-speed runs.

And Ducati is out to prove that with its new Diavel V4 model. The embodiment of a muscle bike, Ducati's newest Diavel is powered by the company's 1,158cc Granturismo V4. With 168 hp and 93 lb-ft of torque, the 491-pound motorcycle will be very fast, and it should handle well too. Upside-down front forks are compression and preload adjustable on the left tube and rebound adjustable on the right tube, with a rear mono-shock accounting for 5.7 inches of ground clearance at the rear. Lean too far and you'll still likely scrape pegs, but this new generation of Diavel is certainly more athletic than its predecessor.

Having a seat height of 31.1 inches makes the model relatively accessible for shorter riders as well. Paired with its segment-slimming curb weight and a 240mm-section rear tire (yes, really), Ducati's cruiser is set to be extraordinarily stable, or as stable as one can be on two wheels. The Volkswagen-backed motorcycle company has been a pioneering brand for rider aids, and the Diavel is no exception. With cornering ABS, switchable wheelie and traction control, and a proprietary multimedia system, the company's only cruiser bike is an ode to modernity, at the starting cost of $26,795.